Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola
2 Sara Street, Tara QLD 4421
Official Star Rating
Source: Australian Government Star Ratings quarterly extract, May 2026. Ratings are published by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, not by CareShortlist.
Considering this home?
A Star Rating is a starting point, not an answer. Get a free shortlist that puts Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola side by side with other options near Tara: ratings, room availability signals, and the questions worth asking on a tour.
We will put Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola at the top of a shortlist beside the other options near Tara, and can introduce you to the home if you would like.
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What residents say about Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola
These are not online reviews. The Australian Government interviews residents of Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola face to face and publishes what they said. Below is the share who answered “always” to each question, from the 2025 survey round. It is the closest thing to hearing from the people who actually live there.
Where residents rate it highest
- Staff know what they are doing: 67% said always, against a national average of 44%.
- Likes the food: 42% said always, against a national average of 28%.
- Things are explained: 58% said always, against a national average of 46%.
Where residents rate it lower
- Well run: 33% said always, against a national average of 46%. Worth asking about on a visit.
| What residents were asked | Said “always” | Positive overall | National average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do staff treat you with respect? | 58% | 100% always or mostly | 68% |
| Are staff kind and caring toward you? | 75% | 100% always or mostly | 69% |
| Do you feel safe here? | 75% | 100% always or mostly | 78% |
| Do you get the care you need? | 58% | 100% always or mostly | 65% |
| Do staff know what they are doing? | 67% | 100% always or mostly | 44% |
| Do you feel at home here? | 75% | 100% always or mostly | 64% |
| Do staff explain things to you? | 58% | 100% always or mostly | 46% |
| Do staff follow up when you raise something? | 50% | 100% always or mostly | 48% |
| Do you have a say in your daily life? | 83% | 100% always or mostly | 72% |
| Are you encouraged to do things for yourself? | 67% | 100% always or mostly | 60% |
| Is this place well run? | 33% | 91% always or mostly | 46% |
| Do you like the food here? | 42% | 100% always or mostly | 28% |
Source: Residents’ Experience survey, Australian Government Star Ratings (May 2026 extract), interviews conducted in 2025. Percentages are of residents interviewed at this home, not of all residents. CareShortlist does not edit, weight or rank these answers.
How Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola compares
Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola holds an overall Star Rating of 4 out of 5. That is above the QLD average of 3.89, and above the national average of 3.83. Nationally, 22% of rated homes score lower and 6% score higher, with the rest level with it. Most homes cluster on the same few scores, so a single star of difference is a bigger gap than it looks. With 30 funded places it is smaller than most (the national average is about 82).
Its strongest measure is compliance at 5 out of 5. Its weakest is staffing at 4, which covers how much registered nurse and total care time each resident actually receives against the government's targets. That is the area worth probing on a visit, and we have turned it into specific questions below.
| Measure | Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola | National average |
|---|---|---|
| Residents' experience | 4 | 3.63 |
| Compliance | 5 | 4.82 |
| Staffing | 4 | 3.25 |
| Quality measures | 5 | 3.04 |
Questions worth asking Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola
Tailored to this home’s own published scores rather than a generic checklist. Take them with you.
- How many registered nurse hours does each resident receive per day, and how does that compare with the government target? Ask to see the current roster.
- How often do you use agency staff rather than your own, and what is your staff turnover in the last year?
- What is the total weekly cost for someone with my family member's care needs, itemised, including extras?
- Who would be their main carer day to day, and what happens on nights and weekends?
See all Southern Cross Care (QLD) Ltd homes and services
See all aged care homes in Tara
Common questions about Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola
What is the Star Rating of Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola?
Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola has an overall Star Rating of 4 out of 5 in the May 2026 Australian Government extract, against a national average of 3.83. The rating combines residents' experience, compliance, staffing and quality measures.
Where is Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola located?
Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola is at 2 Sara Street, Tara, QLD 4421. You can see every other home nearby on our Tara page.
How many residents does Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola have?
Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola has 30 government-funded residential places, compared with a national average of about 82 per home. Size affects the feel of a home and the staffing ratios you should ask about.
Who owns Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola?
Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola is operated by Southern Cross Care (QLD) Ltd (religious). Standards and pricing structures often travel across a provider group, so it is worth looking at their other homes too.
How do I arrange a place at Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola?
You need an aged care assessment through My Aged Care (myagedcare.gov.au or 1800 200 422) before a government-funded place can be offered. Once approved, contact the home directly to ask about availability and to arrange a visit. We can also introduce you and put Southern Cross Care Tara - Tarcoola side by side with other options near Tara, free.